Human Technology and Organisations Research Group

Month: July 2025

What Is the Philosophy of Computing Education—And Why Does It Matter?

4 July 2025 /

New publication by Roger McDermott, Mats Daniels, John N.A. Brown, and Åsa Cajander in ITiCSE 2025

When we talk about research in Computing Education, we often refer to data-driven studies—statistical analyses of learning outcomes, empirical classroom studies, or qualitative work grounded in social science methods. But what if we also turned to philosophy to better understand how and why we teach computing?

In our newly published paper, “Determining the Scope of the Philosophy of Computing Education,” we explore what it means to apply philosophical inquiry within computing education research. Inspired by similar movements in engineering education, we ask fundamental questions:

  • What is the nature of computing as a discipline?
  • What assumptions shape our teaching practices?
  • How can conceptual analysis complement empirical and qualitative research?

Rather than offering yet another case study or dataset, this paper delves into the foundations of the field itself. We suggest that a philosophical perspective can enrich our understanding of key concepts, challenge unexamined assumptions, and help clarify the methods and goals of computing education research.

This is not about replacing empirical work—but about broadening the conversation. By including philosophical methods, we can develop a more reflective and mature field, better equipped to navigate the ethical, conceptual, and educational challenges of a rapidly changing discipline.

👉 You can read the full open-access paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1145/3724363.3729049

We look forward to continuing the conversation with the wider computing education community.

It’s Been Awhile: On Journals, Sustainability, and the Elusive Nature of Quality

3 July 2025 /

I should start this the way I used to begin many of my journal entries:

“It’s been awhile! From here on out, I’m going to write every day.” -Me

Of course, I never did, nor do I know why I thought I should. I wasn’t exactly sustainable in my writing habits. Or maybe I was—just not by the expectations I had set for myself in those journals. Now that I’ve spent a few years immersed in software sustainability research, I catch myself viewing everything through that lens. Even this pattern of sporadic journaling feels meaningul: an intention, a system, and then the reality of trying to maintain it. Also, the frustration with myself for not being able to work within the parameters that I’ve set for myself. I think at some point I picked up the expectation that if you didn’t write everyday, then I wasn’t doing it right. It’s worth reflecting at what I’m expecting from journaling and its role in my life to identify goals that have intention. It’s good to sometimes reflect on why do I have these expectations and what is their purpose?


I’ve been thinking about how quality is also an unclear concept. Like sustainability, it’s broad, contested, and highly contextual. I remember reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig back when I was a teenager. At the time, I took it at face value: a story about two people on a road trip riding motorbikes. I remember a section about the choice in motorbikes. One bike was new, top of the line, reliant on technicians and external tools; the other was a classic, simple bike the rider could troubleshoot on their own, with simple tools and manuals.


Back then, I didn’t read for insights or allegories but because I enjoy reading. I didn’t know Pirsig was a philosopher, or that he worked as a technical writer for computer manuals. It wasn’t until recently, when his name popped up again in a different context, that I did a little sleuthing. I learned he developed the Metaphysics of Quality. According to Pirsig, Quality can’t be defined. It’s both dynamic and static, both process and result. He says that everything arises from quality.


That idea’s been sitting with me. I think it’s time for a reread. The book seems to not have made the move with me to Sweden, so I’ll have to track down a copy. It will be a perfect summer read and I can follow up with more thoughts after I’ve had a chance to revisit the book. Bookclub anyone?


I hope everyone out there has a lovely summer!